JPH05139070A - Paper processing apparatus for sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten time for paper processing by distinguishing whether the final processing position at each bin is close to the first waiting position or the second waiting position and moving the paper processing apparatus to the waiting position of the closer side for waiting. CONSTITUTION:A distance distinguishing device 162 distinguishes whether the final processing position of each bin 16 to papers is close to the first waiting position or the second waiting position such as the initial position a and the waiting position f provided on both end sides in the width direction of the bin 16. When the final processing position is close to the first waiting position, a paper processing device is returned to the first waiting position and it is moved from a processing position being close to the first waiting position against the bin 16 of the next stage for processing successively paper processing by means of a moving control device 163. In addition, when the final processing position is close to the second waiting position, after the paper processing device is returned to the second waiting position, it is moved from a processing position being close to the second waiting position against the bin 16 of the next stage for processing successively paper processing. The efficiency of paper processing is improved thereby and high speed processing can be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus of a sorter for performing stapling, punching and other predetermined sheet processing on sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, which have a sorter for transferring the same original document onto a plurality of transfer papers and sorting the transfer papers into respective bins, have become widespread. Particularly, recently, a sorter having a function of performing a predetermined sheet processing on a sorted sheet on a bin by a sheet processing apparatus such as stapling is used.

In such a conventional sorter, the sheet processing apparatus reciprocates only in the direction of contact with and away from the bin to perform processing, so that only one corner of the fixed sheet is processed. Is becoming

[0004]

On the other hand, as a sorter for performing processing at an arbitrary position in the width direction of a sheet, the bin which should process the sheet is moved backward from another bin and then placed on the bin. It is conceivable that the sheet is held by the sheet holding mechanism, the rear end side of the bin is opened, and the sheet processing apparatus is moved to a desired position to perform the sheet processing.

In order to control the movement of the sheet processing apparatus in this sorter, the sheet processing apparatus is preset at one end side in the width direction of the bin each time the sheet processing is completed at a predetermined position of the sheet on each bin. It is considered that the movement control for moving to the initial position (home position) and making it stand by is easy to control.

However, even if the initial position and the final processing position for the paper in each bin are largely separated, if they are uniformly returned to the initial position, the movement takes a relatively long time. It will be. Therefore, especially when repeatedly performing paper processing on a large number of bins,
The processing time becomes long and the processing efficiency is lowered.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus for a sorter which can shorten the sheet processing time.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a moving means for moving the sheet processing means in the width direction of the bin, and for each sheet on each bin, a sheet for each bin. In a sorter sheet processing device for performing processing, a final processing position for a sheet in each bin is located on either side of a first standby position and a second standby position provided at both end sides in the width direction of the bin. Distance determining means for determining whether they are close to each other, and when the final processing position is close to the first standby position, the sheet processing means is returned to the first standby position, and then the sheet is transferred to the next bin. The sheet is sequentially moved from the processing position close to the first standby position to perform sheet processing, and the final processing position is set to the second processing position.
When it is close to the standby position, the sheet processing means is returned to the second standby position, and then the next bin is moved to sequentially perform the sheet processing from the processing position close to the second standby position. And a control means.

[0009]

According to the sheet processing apparatus of the sorter having the above-mentioned structure, when the final processing position for the sheets in the bin is close to the first standby position, after the sheet processing means is returned to the first standby position, The bins of the next stage are sequentially moved from the processing position close to the first standby position to be subjected to sheet processing. On the other hand, when the final processing position for the paper in the bin is close to the second standby position, the paper processing means is returned to the second standby position and then moved to the second standby position for the next bin. Sheets are sequentially moved from nearer processing positions so as to be processed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sorter sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 has a first housing 2, and a contact glass (not shown) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the first housing 2.

Inside the first housing 2, an optical system for optically scanning a document, an image forming means having a photoconductor drum and each member for forming an image disposed around the photoconductor drum, and a transfer unit. Each component such as a paper transport system is arranged. The original to be copied is placed on the contact glass with the copy surface facing downward, and the original surface is optically scanned by the optical system. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the image forming means based on the reflected light from the document surface, and is further developed into a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper and fixed on the transfer paper at the fixing section.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic document conveying means for automatically conveying a document, which is provided with a document placing section 4, a document carrying-in section 5, a document conveying section 6, and a document unloading section 7. The originals placed on the original placing portion 4 are automatically moved one by one from the original carrying-in portion 5 to a predetermined position on the contact glass by the original feeding portion 6 and temporarily stopped, and after the copying is completed, the original feeding portion 7 Be delivered to.

Reference numerals 9, 10, and 11 denote cabinets for accommodating transfer sheets, in which sheets of different sizes can be set. An operation panel 12 includes a copy switch, a copy number instruction switch, and the like. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a sorter mode switching key and a sheet processing selection key such as stapling and punching.

Reference numeral 14 is a second housing, the internal structure of which will be described later. In addition, the second housing 1
4 has an opening / closing panel 14a, and by opening the opening / closing panel 14a, a sheet processing unit 30 described later can be drawn out. Reference numeral 15 is a sorter, a plurality of bins 16 are provided in a stepped shape, and 17 is a paper discharge unit. The transfer paper is sequentially discharged to the bin 16 when being sorted, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 17 when not being sorted.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the second housing 14
The internal configuration of will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the second housing 14. 20, 21, 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, which are arranged on both the left and right sides of the bin 16 in the width direction of the paper so as to partially project, and have a pair structure. ing.
Each of the bottles 16 has a pair of first pins 20 provided on the left and right side plates in a groove provided on the left and right side plates with a slight inclination in the right direction in the figure, and second pins 21 provided upright on both left and right sides. Column 23
By being fitted in the spiral groove 24 cut in the above, it is supported so as to be able to move up and down. The third pin 22 is provided on the right side of the second pin 21 in the drawing with a predetermined minute interval.

Further, the bin 16 connects the stopper 25 for regulating and aligning the rear ends of the sheets, the flat plate portion 26, and the stopper 25 and the flat plate portion 26, and engages a spring or the like with the connecting shaft to reverse the stopper 25. It is composed of a connecting portion 27 that urges clockwise.

The lower end of the column 23 is connected to the drive motor 230 via a timing belt 231, a bevel gear 232, 233 and a timing belt 234. Then, by driving the drive motor 230 to rotate,
The driving force is generated by the timing belt 234, the bevel gears 233, 2
It is transmitted to the column 23 through the 32 and the timing belt 231, and the column 23 is rotationally driven. In addition, the column 2
A pulse plate 235 and a rotation sensor 236 for detecting the rotation angle of the column 23 are provided at appropriate places below the position 3.

Each of the bins 16 is rotated by the drive motor 230 to rotate the column 23 by 360 °.
In synchronization with the transfer paper discharge timing, the transfer paper is moved one step at a time in an upward or downward direction. Further, when the copying and sorting are completed and a predetermined sheet processing such as stapling or punching is performed on each transfer sheet, the columnar 23 is rotated by the drive motor 230 and stopped at a predetermined stop angle. Each bin on which the paper is processed is moved up and down one step to a specific position therefor. In this state, the opening surface of the guide rail 60, which will be described later, and the groove 24 of the column 23 are opposed to each other, and the bin 16 at the specific position is retracted along the inclination of the guide rail 60 by a predetermined distance (in the right direction in the drawing). ) Do.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a paper processing device for performing predetermined processing such as stapling and punching on the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16, and 29 denotes a support frame on which the paper processing device 28 is mounted. Reference numeral 30 is a paper processing unit, 31 is a belt provided on the paper processing unit 30, and 32 is a motor for driving the belt 31. The support frame 29 is placed on a belt 31, and is made to reciprocate in the width direction of the bin, that is, the width direction of the paper by rotating the belt 31 from a motor 32 through a gear, and a motor 43 described later.
Thus, the bottle 16 is moved forward in the inclination direction by a predetermined distance (to the left in the drawing) to approach the transfer paper side, and processing can be performed on any position of the transfer paper.

Next, the movement of the transfer paper side, that is, the bin 16 when performing paper processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sheet moving mechanism.
2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side view. 51 is a motor for moving the bottle 16 in the front-rear direction, 52 is a worm wheel, 53, 54, 55, 56 are gears, and these wheels 53, 54, 55, 56 have a chain wheel 57.
Is hung. The rotational force of the motor 51 is transmitted to the gear 53 through the worm wheel 52 and further transmitted to each gear through the chain wheel 57.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a chain wheel 57 and a connecting portion 5
9 is a working plate connected by 9. The action plate 58 moves the bin 16 in the front-rear direction when the sheet is subjected to a predetermined process, as described later, and the second pin 21 causes the second groove 21 to have a spiral groove 24 during the sorting process.
It also has the function of controlling so that it will not be detached from.

Reference numeral 60 is a guide rail for guiding the second pin 21 so as to guide the moving direction of the working plate 58. 6
Reference numerals 1 and 62 are a first sensor and a second sensor which are configured by a photo interrupter or the like and detect the presence or absence of the action plate 58 and regulate the moving range thereof. With this configuration, the action plate 58 reciprocates within a predetermined distance range according to the rotation of the motor 51.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a fourth pin which partially protrudes from the bottle 16 and is pushed by an eccentric cam 75 which will be described later to cause a stopper 25.
To cancel. Reference numeral 72 is a motor for rotating the stopper 25 in the clockwise direction to release it, 73 is a worm wheel, 74 is a gear, 75 is an eccentric cam, and 76 is a chain hung between the gear shafts of the gear 74 and the eccentric cam 75. It's a wheel. In this way, the rotational force of the motor 72 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 75 via the chain wheel 76.

Reference numeral 77 is a pulse plate which rotates integrally with the gear 74, and reference numeral 78 is a third sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like for detecting the rotation amount of the gear 74 by the pulse plate 77. The release amount of the stopper 25 is set to a predetermined amount by the third sensor 78.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
A cutout portion 251 is formed on one side of the leading end of the cutout 5 for the reason described below.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a mechanism for pressing the paper. The paper pressing mechanism has an arrangement relationship as shown in FIG. 7, and is for pressing and fixing the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16 to the flat plate portion 26 of the bin 16 immediately before the stopper 25 is released.

In FIG. 3, 81 is a motor for driving the paper presser, 82, 83, 84 and 85 are gears, and the rotational force of the motor 81 is transmitted to the gears 84 and 85 through the gears 82 and 83. There is. Reference numeral 86 is a paper retainer that presses and fixes the transfer paper, and 88 is a link rod that connects the gear 85 and the paper retainer 86. The upper end of the link rod 88 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the gear 85 at an eccentric position. Reference numeral 89 is a guide rail for guiding the moving direction of the connection point 92 between the link rod 88 and the paper retainer 86, and 87 is a spring attached between the connection point and the paper retainer 86, which is used to transfer the sorted transfer paper. A suitable pressing force is given according to the number of sheets.

Numeral 90 is a pulse plate which rotates integrally with the gear 84, and numeral 91 is a fourth sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like for detecting the amount of rotation of the gear 84 by the pulse plate 90.

Next, the operations of the paper moving mechanism and the pressing mechanism will be described. First, the transfer paper moving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (b) shows the forward (original) position, and FIG. 4 shows the retracted position.

The motor 51 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 5
When the gear 53 starts to rotate through 2, the gears 53, 5
The chain wheel 57 hung on 4, 55, 56 rotates counterclockwise. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 connected by the connecting portion 59 starts to move backward (to the right in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

At this time, the action plate 58 has the third pin 22.
By pressing, the movement of the action plate 58 moves the bin 16 provided with the third pin in the backward direction. When the action plate 58 reaches the position of the second sensor 62, the motor 51 is stopped by detecting it. In this way, the transfer paper is moved by a predetermined distance by the backward movement of the bin 16.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the state after the paper is moved, in which the action plate 58 is stopped at the position detected by the second sensor 62.

Next, the forward movement operation for returning to the original will be described.

At this time, the motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction and the chain wheel 57 is rotated in the reverse direction. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 starts to move forward (to the left in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

By the movement of the action plate 58, the second pin 21 is pushed to the left in the drawing, and the bin 16 moves in the forward direction. When the action plate 58 reaches the position of the first sensor 61, it is detected and the motor 51 stops.

Next, the operation of the paper pressing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The motor 81 rotates and the gears 82, 83
When the gears 84 and 85 start rotating through
Rotation of the paper presser 86 linked by the link rod 88
Moves down along the guide rail 89 and presses the sheet against the flat plate portion 26 by the force of the spring 87. And the gear 84
The rotation amount of the pulse plate 90 that rotates integrally with the fourth sensor 9
1 is detected and the motor 81 is stopped at a predetermined position to press and fix the paper.

On the other hand, when releasing the paper retainer, the motor 81 is further rotated and the gear 85 is rotated just once, so that the paper retainer 86 connected by the link rod 88 rises along the guide rail 89. Return to the position.

Next, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 so that the predetermined processing can be performed on the sheet fixed by pressing will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the state before the release, and FIG. 5 shows the state after the release.

With the bin 16 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 5, the motor 72 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 73.
When the gear 74 rotates clockwise through the chain wheel 76, the chain wheel 76 rotates clockwise and the eccentric cam 7 rotates.
Rotate 5 clockwise. Due to the rotation of the eccentric cam 75, the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 75 contacts the fourth pin 71, and a rotational force in the clockwise direction is generated in the fourth pin 71. When the eccentric cam 75 further rotates, the connecting portion 27
The fourth pin 71 is rotated in the clockwise direction against the urging force of the inner spring, and the stopper 25 is rotated in the clockwise direction with the connecting portion 27 as a fulcrum, and the stopper 25 is released. By releasing this, predetermined processing can be performed on the sheet.

The pulse plate 7 rotating integrally with the gear 74
The rotation amount of 7 is detected by the third sensor 78, and the motor 72 is stopped at a predetermined position.

When the stopper 25 is returned to its original position, the motor 72 is further rotated and the worm wheel 7 is rotated.
3, the eccentric cam 75 is rotated clockwise through the gear 74 and the chain wheel 76, and the eccentric cam 7 is rotated.
The clockwise rotation of 5 causes the stopper 25 to return to its original position by the urging force of the spring in the connecting portion 27.

The position for processing the paper is
If there is one corner of the paper, that is, the cutout portion 251
When the value is within the range, the above-mentioned release of the stopper 25 is not performed.

Next, the structure of the sheet processing unit 30 will be described. The sheet processing device 28 is attachable to and detachable from the support frame 29. Regarding the configuration, FIG. 6 to FIG.
Will be explained.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic structure of the support frame 29 with the sheet processing device 28 removed. Figure 7
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame 29 as seen from the side surface. FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch 40 as an example of the sheet processing device 28. Further, FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler 41 as another example of the sheet processing apparatus 28. The drive mechanism and the like are omitted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

A belt 31 is horizontally arranged on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the sheet processing unit 30 and can be reciprocated by a motor 32. The support frame 29 includes a slide base 42 and a mounting base 44.

The slide base 42 is adapted to reciprocate the support frame 29 in the left-right direction by the rotation of the belt 31. The mounting base 44 is configured to move the sheet processing device 28 forward and backward along the inclination by the rotation of the motor 43 via a gear or the like.

Gears 140, 141, 142 and 143 are provided coaxially with the gears 141 and 142.
The generated torque of No. 3 is increased and transmitted. 14
Reference numeral 4 is a pulse plate which rotates integrally with the gear 143, and 145 is a cylindrical tubular body. Reference numeral 146 denotes a connecting rod that is rotatably attached to the eccentric position on the upper surface of the pulse plate 144 and the lower portion of the cylindrical body 145, and connects the pulse plate 144 and the cylindrical body 145. Reference numeral 147 is a cylindrical guide rod attached to the slide base 42 side, and has the same inclination as the guide rail 60 for guiding the backward movement of the bin 16.

The cylindrical body 145 is penetrated by the guide rod 147, and is configured to reciprocate along the guide rod 147 by the rotation of the pulse plate 144. Reference numeral 149 denotes a cutout portion provided in the mounting base 44, and the cylindrical body 145 contacts an edge of the cutout portion 149 to move the mounting base 44 in the front-rear direction.

Reference numeral 148 denotes a fifth sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like and detects the rotation amount of the pulse plate 144.

Reference numerals 100 and 101 are rollers provided so that the slide base 42 can move smoothly with respect to the sheet processing unit 30 corresponding to the stationary side. Also, 102,10
Reference numerals 3, 104 and 105 are rollers provided so that the mounting base 44 moves smoothly with respect to the slide base 42 corresponding to the stationary side when the mounting base 44 moves.

First, the mounting structure of the punch 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 106 denotes a T-shaped metal fitting screwed at two points, which is adapted to assist in fixing the punch 40 through a slit 107 provided at the bottom of the punch 40. Reference numerals 108 and 109 denote connectors for connecting signal lines and the like for controlling the operation of the punch 40, and two holes 110 for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.
Is provided.

Reference numeral 150 is a perforating blade for making a hole in the paper.
Reference numeral 1 is a table on which sheets are set when punching. Stand 1
Auxiliary bases 1 that prevent the paper from hanging down on both sides of 51
52 is provided. An inclined portion 151 for smoothing paper setting is provided at each tip of the table 151 and the auxiliary table 152.
a and 152a are provided respectively. In other words, the inclined portions 151a and 152a are for scooping up the leading edge of the sheet to be processed when the leading edge of the sheet to be processed hangs down due to the release of the stopper 25 and appropriately setting it at the setting position.

In the punch 40, the T-shaped metal fitting 106 is passed through the slit 107, the connectors 108 and 109 are connected, and the hole 1
Screw through 11 and 112 at one place. Note that hole 1
12 can be adjusted in the direction of contact and separation with the paper.

Next, the mounting structure of the stapler 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 113 is a U-shaped metal fitting screwed at two points, and the elastic force of the metal fitting 113 clamps the stapler 41 from both sides to assist in fixing the stapler 41. Reference numerals 114 and 115 are connectors for connecting signal lines and the like for controlling the operation of the stapler 41, and two holes 116 are provided for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.

Reference numeral 153 denotes a staple binding unit for binding sheets with staples, and 154 is a table on which sheets are set when stapling.

The stapler 41 has a cutout 251.
Since the stopper 25 is not released when stapling to the position of, the auxiliary table is unnecessary, and when stapling to the position where the stopper 25 is released, the table 15 of the punch 40 is used.
1 and the auxiliary table 152 serve as the auxiliary table of the stapler 41, and further, the hanging paper is also drawn up. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the auxiliary table or the inclined portion. Note that the above configuration is sufficient if it is provided on at least one of the punch 40 and the stapler 41.

The stapler 41 is pinched from both sides by the elastic force of the U-shaped metal fitting 113, and the connectors 114, 115 are inserted.
Are connected and screwed through the holes 117 and 118 at one place.

Further, the sheet processing unit 30 is detachable from the second housing 14, and its configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Figure 10
1 shows a state in which the support frame body 29 from which the sheet processing device 28 is removed is placed on the sheet processing unit 30, FIG.
It is a schematic block diagram seen from the arrow A direction. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 4 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the second housing 14 from which the sheet processing unit 30 is removed.

Reference numeral 130 is a roller, and a rectangular kerf 131 is provided at a corresponding portion of the second housing 14. Reference numerals 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 are gears, and the belt 31 is provided with gears 134, 135 and 136.
Is hung on.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a sixth sensor which is composed of a photo interrupter or the like and detects the initial position (home position) of the slide base 42. The initial position is set, for example, on the front side of the second housing 14, and the sliding base 42 does not move when stapling at a position facing the inner cutout portion 251 of the sheet.

The front side of the sheet processing unit 30 is longer than the width of the bin 16 by, for example, the dimension length of the punch 40. Therefore, when the maintenance and inspection work is performed on the outer sheet processing device 28, that is, the punch 40, it is only necessary to open the panel of the second housing 14.

When the sheet processing unit 30 is pulled out to the front side, the roller 130 comes into contact with the front edge 131a of the rectangular kerf 131 and temporarily stops. The roller 130 and the kerf 131 are set at the temporarily stopped position so that the support frame 29 is pulled out from the second housing 14 to the front side. Therefore, in this state, maintenance and inspection work can be performed on the inner sheet processing device 28, that is, the stapler 41.

When the sheet processing unit 30 is further pulled out, it can be pulled down slightly to release the engagement between the roller 130 and the edge 131a, and can be easily pulled out by the roller 130.

Regarding the movement operation of the slide base 42 and the mounting base 44 in the above-mentioned structure, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG.
Will be explained.

First, the movement operation of the slide base 42 will be described. When the motor 32 rotates and the gear 134 starts to rotate through the gears 132 and 133, the belt 31 rotates and the slide base 42 moves in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction parallel to the width direction of the sheet that is pressed and fixed. To do. The control of the moving distance of the slide base 42 is performed based on the operating time of the motor 32 or the number of motor drive pulses with reference to the initial position and the like.

When the sliding base 42 is returned to the initial position, the motor 32 is rotated in the opposite direction, and when the sixth sensor 137 detects the sliding base 42, the motor 32 is stopped.

Next, the movement of the mount 44 will be described. The motor 43 rotates to rotate the gears 140, 141, 1
When the pulse plate 144 starts rotating through 42 and 143, the cylinder 145 is moved forward through the connecting rod 146, and integrally with this, the mounting base 44 is moved forward along the inclination toward the paper side. ..

Then, the rotation amount of the pulse plate 144 is detected by the fifth sensor 148, and the motor 43 is stopped at a predetermined position. As a result, the sheet is set on the table 151 of the punch 40 and the auxiliary table 152 or the table 154 of the stapler 41.

When the mounting base 44 is returned to the initial position, the motor 43 is further rotated in the same direction to move the fifth sensor 148.
When it is detected that the mounting base 44 has returned to the initial position, the motor 43 is stopped.

Next, the structure of the control system for controlling the processing of the sheet processing device 28 will be described with reference to FIG.
This control system includes a memory 160 and a control unit 161. The memory 160 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc., and is a distance from the initial position to the width direction of the bin 16 and a standby position arranged on the opposite side of the initial position, a plurality of types of standardized staples, punches, etc. The distance between each processing position and the initial position, the control program, and the like are stored.

The control section 161 has a distance discriminating means 162 and a movement control means 163. Distance determination means 162
Is the distance from the position where the final paper processing is performed for each bin 16 to the initial position among the processing positions on the paper set by the operation of the paper processing selection key 13 or the like, and the distance to the standby position. Is compared with each other to determine which side is closer, and the determination result is output to the movement control means 163. The movement control unit 163 moves the motors 32 and 43 to move the sheet processing device 28 to the processing positions set as described above.
It controls the drive of the. Also, the movement control means 16
No. 3 is the processing position closest to the initial position when the sheet processing device 28 is waiting at the initial position, and is the closest to the standby position when the sheet processing device 28 is waiting at the standby position. The drive of the motors 32 and 43 is controlled so that the processing is sequentially performed from the closer processing position, and the punch 4
0, the stapler 41, and other sheet processing devices 28 are controlled.

Here, an operation procedure for actually carrying out sheet processing will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure when performing paper processing. When the position and type of paper processing are selected with the selection key 13, the paper processing operation is started.

First, the position for paper processing is determined (step S1). When processing is performed on only one corner of the sheet processing device 28 on the initial position side (YES in step S1).
S), the process proceeds to step S2 in order to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a specific mode), and when the position where the sheet processing is performed is not only one corner on the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28, or the other one or more positions are processed. (Step S1
NO), the process proceeds to step S3 to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a normal mode).

First, the processing procedure in the specific mode will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the specific mode, that is, when stapling processing is performed only at one location on one corner of the sheet.

First, the bin 16 on which the sheets to be stapled are placed is moved back toward the stapler 41 to a predetermined position (step S11). When the backward movement is completed, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper retainer 86 (step S12).

Next, the mounting table 44 is moved forward at the initial position to set the paper on the table 154 of the stapler 41 (step S13). Since the notch 251 is formed in the stopper 25 at this one corner, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 is unnecessary. Then, the stapler 41 is operated to bind the sheets by the stapling operation (step S14).

When the stapling operation is completed, the mounting base 44
Is retracted to retract the stapler 41 from the sheet and return it to its original position (step S15). Next, the paper retainer 86 is released (step S16), and the bin 16 for which stapling processing has been completed is advanced to return it to its original position (step S17).

Next, it is determined whether or not the stapling process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed. If not completed (NO in step S18), the bin 16 is moved to the first stage. Only (step S19). At this time, if the stapling process is started from the lower side of the bin 16, the stapling process is increased by one step, and in the opposite case, the stapling process is decreased by one step. Then, the processes of steps S11 to S18 are repeated for the newly moved bin 16. On the other hand, if the stapling process is completed for all the required bins (YES in step S18), this process ends.

Next, the processing procedure in the normal mode is shown in FIG.
5, which will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16 and the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show an operation procedure in the normal mode, for example, when the punching is set at two positions of the first punching position (c) and the second punching position (d) in the width direction of the sheet. Figure 1 in the flowchart
7 to 19 are diagrams showing the movement of the punch 40 and the punch position. In FIG. 17, the distance L1 between the initial position (A) and the second punch position (D) is shorter than the distance L2 between the standby position (F) and the second punch position (D), and the initial position (A) ) And the first punch position (c), the distance L1 'is shorter than the distance L2' between the standby position (f) and the first punch position (c). In FIG. 18, the distance L1 is longer than the distance L2, and the distance L1 is
The operation when ′ is shorter than the distance L2 ′ is shown. FIG. 19 shows an operation when the distance L1 is longer than the distance L2 and the distance L1 ′ is longer than the distance L2 ′. Before the punching process for the first (first) bin 16 is started, the punch 4
0 is waiting at the initial position (A).

First, as shown in FIG. 17, in order to punch the paper P placed on the first-stage bin 16, as shown in FIG.
The punch 40 is moved forward from the initial position (A) in the width direction of the sheet P and stopped at the position (A) facing the first punch position (C) (step S21). Next, the first bin 1
6 is retracted to a predetermined position (step S22), and the paper P is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86 (step S2).
3), the stopper 25 of the bottle 16 is released (step S24). Since the paper P is fixed in step S23, the paper P does not slide down even if the stopper 25 is released.

Next, the mounting table 44 is advanced to the first punch position (c), and the sheet P is set on the table 151 of the punch 40 and the auxiliary table 152 (step S25). Then, the punch 40 is operated and a hole is made in the paper P (step S26). Thereafter, the punch 40 is continuously moved in the forward direction and stopped at the second punch position (d) with respect to the first-stage bin 16 (step S27).
The punch 40 is operated and a hole is opened at the second punch position (d) (step S28). Then, the mount 44 is retracted, and the punch 40 is retracted to a position (e) facing the second punch position (d) (step S29).

Then, the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is returned from the released state to the set state (step S30), the paper retainer 86 is released (step S31), and the punched bin 16 is advanced to the original state. It is returned to the position of (step S32).

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the punching process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the paper P is placed (step S33), and the punching process is finished for all the required bins. If (YES in step S33), punch 4
With 0 returned to the initial position (A) (step S3
4) Then, the process of this flowchart is completed.

On the other hand, if the punching process is not completed for all required bins in step S33 (step S3).
No. 3), the initial position (a) by the distance determination means 162.
It is determined whether or not the distance L1 between the second punch position (d) and the second punch position (d) is shorter than the distance L2 between the standby position (f) and the second punch position (d) (step S35).

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the distance L
1 is shorter than the distance L2 (Y in step S33).
At ES, the punch 40 is moved in the backward movement direction, returned to the initial position (A), and made to stand by (step S3).
6). Then, the paper P placed in the next bin 16
The bin 16 is moved by one step to perform the punching process (step S37). At this time, the punching process is bin 1
When starting from the lower side of 6, the bin 16 is
It is increased by one step, and in the opposite case, it is decreased by one step.
After that, the process returns to step S21, and the processes of steps S21 to S35 are repeated for the newly moved bin 16, and the punching process is performed for all the stages of the bin 16 on which the paper P is placed. Up to the initial position (A) for each bin 16
Waited in.

On the other hand, in step S35, as shown in FIG. 18, when the distance L2 is shorter than the distance L1 (NO in step S35), the punch 40 moves from the position (e) in the forward direction. Then, it is moved to the standby position (f) and is on standby (step S38). Next, the bin 16 is moved by one stage in order to punch the paper P placed on the next bin 16 (step S3).
9). Subsequently, the bin 16 is retracted to a predetermined position, the paper P is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86, and the bin 16
The stopper 25 is released (steps S40 to S42).

Next, after the punch 40 is moved to the position (e) facing the second punch position (d) which is the closest processing position to the standby position (f) (step S43), the second position
To the punch position (D), and the paper P is set on the punch 40 (step S44). And punch 40
After punching holes in the sheet P by means of, the punch 40 is moved in the backward movement direction, stopped at the first punching position (c) which is the final processing position for the next-stage bin 16, and punched ( Steps S45 to S47). Subsequently, the punch 40 is retracted to the position (a), the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is returned from the released state to the set state, and the paper presser 86 is pressed.
After the release, the punched bin 16 is advanced and returned to its original position (steps S48 to S51). Thereafter, the process returns to step S33, and if the punching process is not completed for all the required bins (NO in step S33), the initial position (a) and the first punching position (the final processing position) ( It is determined whether or not the distance L1 'between the c) is shorter than the distance L2' between the standby position (f) and the first punch position (c) which is the final processing position (step S35).

In the case of FIG. 18, since the distance L1 'is shorter than the distance L2' (YES in step S35), the punch 40 is moved in the backward movement direction, returned to the initial position (a), and waits. (Step S36). After that, the position where each of the bins 16 waits until the punching process is performed on all the stages of the bins 16 on which the sheets P are placed is the standby position (F).
And the initial position (A) are alternately changed and set.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 19, step S21.
As for the processing from to step S51, the same processing as that of FIG. 18 described above is performed. Then, in step S33 after the process of step S51, the distance L1 ′ is equal to the distance L2.
It is longer than ´ (NO in step S35), so punch 4
0 is moved in the forward direction, moved again to the standby position (F), and waits (step S38). After that, until the punching process is performed for all the stages of the bins 16 on which the sheets P are placed, the bins 16 are on standby at the standby position (F).

In this way, it is determined whether the final processing position in each bin 16 is close to the initial position (A) which is the first standby position or the standby position (F) which is the second standby position. However, since the sheet processing device 28 is moved to the nearer side and waits until the stopper 25 of the next-stage bin 16 is released, the processing time can be shortened. In addition, when the vehicle moves to the standby position (f) and stands by, the standby position (f)
Since the processing is performed from the processing position close to, the processing time can be further shortened.

Although the punching process is described here, the stapling process can be similarly controlled and performed. Further, even when a plurality of types of processing such as punching processing and stapling processing are performed on the paper P placed in one bin 16, the same control can be performed.

In the above description, it is determined whether the final processing position of each bin 16 is close to the initial position (a) or the standby position (f) after the final processing of each bin 16 is completed (step S33). ), But since the processing position for punching or the like is normally determined as standard, each bin 1
Whether the final processing position of 6 is close to the initial position (A) or the standby position (F) can be determined in advance. Therefore,
The memory 160 may store whether to move from the final processing position to the initial position (a) or the standby position (f), and the movement of the sheet processing device 28 may be controlled based on the stored contents. For example, in the case of FIG. 19, it is stored such that the standby position for each bin 16 is alternately changed and set between the standby position (F) and the initial position (A).

Further, although the control in the case where there are two processing positions has been described here, the same control can be performed when there are more processing positions, and the processing can be performed for any desired set position. Can be applied.
It is also possible to set the initial position to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 and the standby position to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, an opening / closing panel 14a for maintenance and inspection is provided on the rear surface of the second housing 14.

In the present embodiment, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 are described as an example of the sheet processing device 28, but the present invention is not limited to these, and any other device such as a printing device or the like for processing a sheet may be used. It should be noted that the mounting portion of the device can be easily replaced by having the same configuration as other devices.

In the above-described embodiment, when the sheet processing device 28 is positioned at the processing position with respect to the sheet, the rotation amount of the motor 43 is controlled, but the invention is not limited to this. A paper presence / absence detection switch that detects the presence of paper and turns on may be provided near the processing unit 28, and the positioning of the motor 43 may be controlled by turning on / off the switch.
In this case, for example, after the sort processing and before the paper processing operation,
When the paper is pulled out from the bin 16, this switch remains off, so that the idle operation of the paper processing device 28 can be prevented.

[0096]

According to the present invention, it is determined whether the final processing position in each bin is close to the first standby position or the second standby position, and the sheet processing apparatus is moved to the closer standby position. Since it is made to stand by, the processing time of the paper can be shortened. Therefore, the processing efficiency of the paper is improved and high-speed processing can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a second housing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sheet moving mechanism, in which (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a paper pressing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet is in a retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state after the stopper of the bottle is released.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a support frame body with a sheet processing device removed.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of a support frame, seen from a side surface.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a support frame is placed on a sheet processing unit.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside the second housing.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system that controls paper processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation when performing paper processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation in a specific mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 17 is an operation diagram showing a movement example of a punch.

FIG. 18 is an operation diagram showing a movement example of a punch.

FIG. 19 is an operation diagram showing a movement example of a punch.

FIG. 20 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 14 Second housing 15 Sorter 16 Bin 12 Operation panel 13 Paper processing selection key 28 Paper processing device 32, 43 Motor 40 Punch 41 Stapler 137 Sixth sensor 160 Memory 161 Control section 162 Distance determination means 163 Movement control means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B65H 39/11 K 9037-3F G03G 15/00 114 7369-2H

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet processing device of a sorter, comprising a moving means for moving the sheet processing means in the width direction of the bin, and performing the sheet processing for each bin, the sheet processing device of each bin. The distance determination means for determining which of the first standby position and the second standby position the final processing position for the bin is closer to both ends in the width direction of the bin, and the final processing position. When the sheet processing means is near the first standby position, the sheet processing means is returned to the first standby position, and then the next bin is subjected to sheet processing sequentially from the processing position close to the first standby position. The final processing position is moved to the second position.
When it is close to the standby position, the sheet processing means is returned to the second standby position, and then the next bin is moved to sequentially perform the sheet processing from the processing position close to the second standby position. A sheet processing apparatus for a sorter, comprising: a control unit.